Partners
THAT young women lose their lives and souls
to human traffickers is a problem that seems far
removed from the lively hum of Adelaide during
festival season.
Yet in the cold surrounds of the old Clipsal Site,
Hungarian director Kornel Mundruczo creates
the horror and depravity of an industry with no
humanity.
“Could you say you enjoyed it?” one audience
member asked as I left the warehouse. Along with
the others creeping into the industrial area of
Bowden, I could not say yes.
Enjoyment is not the point, though. The production,
acting and setting are exceptional. The old Clipsal
site is a perfect venue.
Hard to be a God promises gruelling and extreme
theatre. It promises to confront and disgust and it
delivers soundly on all of these.
It launches between depravity... READ MORE
Stella Electrika
ENTERING a 6m x 5m outdoor performance space
without a shred of clothing would be nerve-racking
enough. The idea of staying there for 10 days and
relying on members of the public to bring you what
you need to survive is an exercise in trust most of us
wouldn’t be brave enough to consider.
READ MORE
Deliverance
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL
HardtoBeaGod
Suzie Keen / Liam Mannix
Melissa Mack FRINGE
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An image from Deliverance’s Tumblr site.
Sponsored by
fri.09.mar.2012
<h1>CAPTION: An image from Deliverance’s Tumblr site.</h1>
<h2>FRINGE Suzie Keen/Liam Mannix</h2>
<h3>Deliverance
Stella Electrika</h3>
<p>ENTERING a 6m x 5m outdoor performance space without a shred of clothing would be nerve-racking enough. The idea of staying there for 10 days and relying on members of the public to bring you what you need to survive is an exercise in trust most of us wouldn’t be brave enough to consider. </p>
<p>But performers Penny Harpham, William McBride and Kat Henry did just that when they took up residence in a 30sqm space on the lawn at Rymill Park (the Fringe Festival’s Gluttony venue) at 6pm on Wednesday for a performance artwork exploring faith, trust and vulnerability which will run continuously until 6pm on March 17. </p>
<p>Just hours before entering the space, Henry admitted to Indaily she was a little nervous. </p>
<p> “The point is that we start with absolutely nothing and ask the audience to bring things to us. </p>
<p> “I’ve even taken my toenail polish off … the whole question is whether people will help us to survive. It very exciting but scary as well.” </p>
<p>Her optimism was fuelled by a similar performance last year at Metro Arts in Brisbane, which lasted 40 hours. During that time people brought not just food and clothing, but more obscure items such as a puppy and songs for them to sing. </p>
<p> “We also got plenty of food, so we’re hoping and trusting that will come again.” </p>
<p>So far, the Adelaide public is proving similarly generous, with the trio receiving clothing, food, water and other items. </p>
<p>The performance has an excellent vibe, thanks to the friendly and relaxed attitude of the performers, and a surplus of beanbags. </p>
<p>It is being webcast 24hoursaday on Tumblr with no sound, making the experience of watching it uniquely solitary. Alternatively, you can head down to Gluttony and relax in front of moving art for a while: if you don’t disturb them, they won’t disturb you, and will simply continue on with the rigmarole of living for 10 days in a small space. </p>
<p>Alternately, strike up a chat. As one of the performers told Indaily when we stopped by to visit, the best thing people can bring is conversation. </p>
<h1>ADELAIDE FESTIVAL Melissa Mack</h1>
<h2>Hard to Be a God</h2>
<p>THAT young women lose their lives and souls to human traffickers is a problem that seems far removed from the lively hum of Adelaide during festival season. </p>
<p>Yet in the cold surrounds of the old Clipsal Site, Hungarian director KornelMundruczocreates the horror and depravity of an industry with no humanity. </p>
<p> “Could you say you enjoyed it?” one audience member asked as I left the warehouse. Along with the others creeping into the industrial area of Bowden, I could not say yes. </p>
<p>Enjoyment is not the point, though. The production, acting and setting are exceptional. The old Clipsal site is a perfect venue. </p>
<p>Hard to be a God promises gruelling and extreme theatre. It promises to confront and disgust and it delivers soundly on all of these. </p>
<p>It launches between depravity and kindness. What is right in a world that has gone so wrong? </p>
<p>In a very Eastern European slant, the production also spins between almost unwatchable acts, and pop songs, which distance the audience enough from the horror on stage to keep them in their seats. </p>
<p>Adelaide Festival director Paul Grabowsky expects some people to complain. Although one man in the audience fainted following the most horrific scene in the piece, it turned out he had a pre-existing medical condition. </p>
<p>I won’t recommend that you see this show, to say it is a difficult experience is an understatement, but I am not sad that I went. It is not a kind of theatre I am likely to see again and it inspired thought about the world and our role in it. </p>
- <p>Hard to Be a God is being performed at the old Clipsal site in Bowden until March 14</p>